How often should a Cockapoo be groomed?

A Cockapoo can inherit different coat characteristics from the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle sides of their family.

Some coats are curlier, some looser, some thicker and some much more prone to tangling than owners expected when their puppy first came home.

As the puppy coat changes, grooming needs can change too.

We love a longer, fluffy finish and are very happy to work with owners who want to maintain one. The important thing is matching the grooming schedule to the coat length and the individual dog.

The longer the coat, the more maintenance it needs. Depending on the length, coat condition and the amount of home care, we may recommend more frequent professional visits rather than waiting six or eight weeks between appointments.

Areas such as behind the ears, armpits, legs, chest, collar area and around a harness can knot particularly easily.

For longer styles, that may mean weekly or fortnightly bath and maintenance appointments alongside appropriate brushing and combing at home. The aim is not to put you off the style you love, but to create a routine that keeps the coat in good condition and your dog comfortable.

One common problem is a coat that looks beautifully brushed on the surface but is knotted closer to the skin.

Your tools need to reach through the coat safely, and you need a way of checking your work.

Ask your groomer which brush and comb suit your individual dog's coat rather than buying tools based purely on the breed name.

Small knots can gradually join together. If we find knotting, we will assess the coat and the dog before deciding what is appropriate. Where knots can be safely brushed out and the dog is comfortable and cooperative, we may be able to work through them, although the additional time involved may cost more.

We would usually view brushing out a knotty coat as a one off option for circumstances such as illness or an owner being away, rather than something to repeat at every groom. If brushing out would be uncomfortable or unfair to the dog, a shorter groom may be the most welfare conscious option.

Regular grooming is preventative. It helps maintain the style you want before the coat reaches the stage where choices become limited.

At BARKERS, we are happy to help owners maintain the longer styles they love. The key is choosing a professional grooming schedule that matches the coat length, condition and level of home maintenance.

Tell us what you would like your Cockapoo to look like and how much coat care you can manage at home. We can then advise on the right combination of style, home maintenance and professional visits. For a longer coat, that can mean coming to see us more often, sometimes weekly or fortnightly for bath and maintenance appointments.

BARKERS is based in Neath and regularly grooms Cockapoos, Cavapoos and other Poodle and Bichon crosses.